AltaLink Earns Re-Accreditation as a Right-of-Way Steward

• 09/23/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 SEPTEMBER 2022

AltaLink Earns Re-Accreditation as a Right-of-Way Steward

AtlaLink joins utilities in leading the way towards responsible ROW vegetation management 

(Minneapolis, MN) - The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) is pleased to announce that AltaLink has successfully achieved re-accreditation as a "Right-of-Way Steward" for sustainable integrated vegetation management of their electric transmission right-of-way systems.

AltaLink is Alberta, Canada’s largest regulated electricity transmission company and is owned and operated by a mix of investor and municipally-owned companies. AltaLink owns and operates approximately 12,500 km of transmission lines and provides electricity transmission services to over 85 percent of Albertans. The company's transmission system includes a diverse array of sustainable energy sources, including wind power, solar and biomass.

The ROWSC program provides standards of excellence for environmental stewardship and presents the opportunity for utility companies to demonstrate their commitment to such standards. While initially focused on the North American high-voltage power grid, the program will be easily adaptable to other ROW users.

The ROWSC model follows the lead of Electric Power Research Institute's (EPRI) Standards for Assessing Performance of Integrated Vegetation Management on Rights-of-Way and is informed by other well-established accreditation programs found in the forest industry such as the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The ROWSC has established rigorous management standards based on a set of predetermined principles, requires a formal application process, and enlists third-party auditors to ensure compliance with standards. The  ROWSC Accreditation Standards for Assessing Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Excellence establish the technical requirements for applicants seeking ROW Steward accreditation. The standards are applied in an independent audit of an applicant's integrated vegetation management program to aid in identifying excellence.

The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council extends warm congratulations to AltaLink on receiving this award and for being a recognized industry leader in sustainable ROW vegetation management.

About Dovetail Partners

Dovetail Partners provides authoritative information about the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions, including consumption choices, land use, and policy alternatives. Dovetail is a highly skilled team that fosters sustainability and responsible behaviors by collaborating to develop unique concepts, systems, models and programs. Dovetail Partners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

About Right-of-Way Stewardship Council

Right-of-Way Stewardship Councilis an accreditation program that is being pursued by a diverse group of stakeholders to provide standards of excellence for environmental stewardship along rights-of-way (ROW) and presents the opportunity for utility companies to demonstrate their commitment to such standards. It establishes standards for responsible ROW vegetation management within high-voltage electric transmission corridors. The aim of the program is to promote the application of integrated vegetation management and best management practices to the utility vegetation management industry in order to maintain power system reliability and address ecological concerns. Dovetail Partners serves as the ROWSC Program Administrator and fiscal agent.

About AltaLink

AltaLink is Alberta's largest regulated electricity transmission company and manages over 12,000 km of electric transmission lines, serving over 85 percent of Albertans. AltaLink is committed to using natural resources wisely and protecting the environment for the benefit of future generations. Their Environmental RESPECT Policy details this commitment in the areas of Responsibility, Efficiency, Stewardship, Performance, Evaluation, Communication and Training. AltaLink has been designated a Sustainable Electricity Company by the Canadian Electricity Association for their commitment to sustainable business practices.